A Theory of Resilience Applied to Couples Affected by HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACT

Much of the research related to HIV has focused on individual factors related to disease contraction, progression, and prevention. Improvements in medical treatments for those affected by HIV/AIDS have led to an increased viability of creating and maintaining longer term romantic relationships. However, research has just begun to examine the factors that affect both individual health outcomes and relationship outcomes, and it has done little to examine the role of context. Thus, the purpose of this article is to develop a contextual theoretical model grounded in risk and resiliency theory and the extant literature that can be used to guide future research into the influence of HIV/AIDS on both individual and relational outcomes with a focus on gay couples.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV
• gay couples
• risk and resilience
• theory

This article was originally presented as a paper at the Annual Meeting, National Council on Family Relations 36th Theory Construction and Research Methodology Workshop, Minneapolis, MI, November 7-9, 2006.